Rotary fiber comb and stripper therefor



j May 5,1953 Aw. GARDES 2,637,074

ROTARY FIBER COMB AND STRIPPER THEREFOR Filed March 29', 1951 2 SHEETS-SHEET l 1512752 I'IZ'UT cAifreo W. Garoes b $4M, fin; wI/w 5:27.35

May 5, 1953 A. W. GARDES RQTARY FIBER COME AND STRIPPER THEREFOR Filed March 29, 1951 2 SI-IEETS-LSHEET 2 FE TITET a l/free W. Garoes Patented May 5, 1953 ROTARY FIBER COMB AND STRIPPER THEREFOR Alfred W. Gardes, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Hanan-Crane Corporation, Lebanon, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application March 29, 1951, Serial No. 218,248

11 Claims.

This invention relates generally to a fiber conditioning apparatus and more particularly to a rotary fiber comb assembly having a plurality of longitudinally-aligned, spaced-apart teeth rotatable between a plurality of similarly aligned annular rings eccentrically offset relative to the axis of rotation of the fiber comb, whereby the relative radial movement between the teeth of the comb and the rings will release fibers caught on the ends of the teeth.

According to the general features of the present invention, a fiber preparation apparatus of the type including a casing having a hopper therein adapted to receive a supply of fibers is provided with an improved rotary comb assembly. The casing of the fiber preparation apparatus has a discharge opening and an endless spiked conveyor belt is also provided to carry fibers from the hopper in the casing to the discharge opening. The rotary comb assembly is located adjacent the conveyor belt and is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart, longitudinallyaligned teeth engageable with the fibers carried by one leg of the belt. Means are provided to rotate the fiber comb so that the teeth thereof will move in a direction opposite to the movement of the belt. A plurality of disks coaxially aligned in spaced apart relationship are eccentrically offset relative to the teeth of the comb and are arranged so that the teeth and the disks are in meshing relationship, the relative radial movement between the disks and the teeth operative to produce a fiber releasing action. The discs are preferably loosely mounted on a support frame mounting the disks in assembly with the casing so that the rings may be adjustably movable axially upon engagement thereof with the teeth.

It is an object of the present invention to rovide a, rotary fiber comb structure having an improved stripping mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved conditioning apparatus for a fiber feeding machine whereby the fibers may be more effectively prepared in the preblending stages without being subjected to undue deterioration.

- Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary comb mechanism for a, fiber preparation apparatus which is made up of a reduced number of simplified elements and operable in a highly efiicient manner.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment of the principles of the present invention is shown.

On the drawings- Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross sectional view with parts in elevation of a fiber preparation apparatus, including a rotary comb assembly according to the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view with parts shown in side elevation of the fiber preparation apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational view of a rotary comb assembly as provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary broken view showing additional details of construction of the rotary comb mechanism shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary broken view of the rotary comb mechanism with the stripper rings removed to show additional details of construction;

As shown on the drawings Although the principles of the present invention are generally applicable to any fiber preparation apparatus, by way of illustrative example, I have shown an improved rotary fiber comb mechanism as embodied in a fiber feeding and weighing machine indicated generally by the reference numeral [0 and including a casing ll having a hopper H and a discharge opening l2 formed adjacent the hopper H.

A conveyor is provided to carry fibers loaded in the hopper H to the discharge opening i2 and in this particular embodiment comprises an endless loop spiked conveyor belt [3 having one leg Ha moving upwardly and a second leg i3b moving downwardly. The belt [3 is threaded over a drive wheel I l rotatably driven by a conveyor drive shaft I6 and a plurality of spikes or fiber engaging teeth ii are provided on the belt to engage and carry fibers.

In order to provide a trackway for the belt 13, suitable brackets i8 may be fastened to the side walls of the casing H by means of a plurality of fasteners 19.

The rotary comb mechanism of the present invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 20 is located adjacent the leg 13a of the belt l3 to assist in the conditioning of the fibers conveyed upwardly by the conveyor and a doifer mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 2| is provided adjacent the top of the conveyor to assist in directing fibers carried by the belt [3 through the discharge opening i2.

More particularly, the doifer mechanism 2| includes a doffer shaft 22 rotatably supporting a doffer drum 23 mounting a plurality of flexible doffer elements 24 which are adapted to engage the fibers carried by the belt l3.

The rotary comb mechanism 20 includes a comb shaft 24 which together with the conveyor drive shaft l6 and the dolfer shaft 22 are all journaled for rotation in the casing I l and are arranged to be rotatably driven by a common drive motor 26 mounted on a pedestal 2! supported on the exterior of the casin I I.

The motor 26 is provided with a power take-01f shaft 28 having a pulley wheel 29, thereon by means of which the doffer shaft 22 may be rotatably driven through pulleys 3G threaded over the pulley wheel 29 and a pulley wheel 3| carried by the doifer shaft 22,

The doffer shaft 22 also carries a pinion gear 32. which engagingly meshes with a driven gear 33 carried by the conveyor drive shaft Hi. The conveyor drive shaft [5, in turn, is connected to the comb shaft 24 by means of pulleys 34 threaded over a suitable pulley wheel on the conveyor drive shaft I and a pulley wheel 36 carried by the comb shaft 24.

As is more particularly described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No, 213,531, filed March 2, 1951, a valve plate 3'! pivotally hinged on a pivot pin 38 mounted in the casing i is situated in the discharge opening 52 to control the flow of fibers therethrough, the valve plate 3'! in closed position forming an apron, which, together with a partition 38, extending upwardly from the hopper H towards the discharge opening l2, operates to direct fibers for recirculation to the hopper H.

The valve plate 3'1 i selectively moved from its closed position to an open position by means of a suitable motor such as a solenoid 39 (Figure 1) havin a movable plunger 42 connected to a crank arm. 4|, and arranged to rotate the pivot rod 38 through a predetermined angular distance upon reciprocation of the plunger 40.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 3, 4- and5 in connection with Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that the rotary comb mechanism 20 comprises a support frame including a pair of rods 42. carried by the casing H and having mounted thereon a plurality of annular disk-like rings 43 spaced apart from one another in coaxial longitudinal alignment. The rings 43 are eccentrically off-set relative to. the axis of rotation established by the comb shaft 24. A support member 46 is provided with an axially extending hub portion 41 which may be locked for co-rotation with the shaft 24 by means of a set screw 48. A plurality of blocks 49 are firmly assembled to the support member 46 in predetermined radially spaced alignment. Thus, when a pair of support members 46 are keyed to the shaft 24 in spaced apart relation, the blocks 49 provide an adequate support for angle iron stringers 50 which arefirmly assembled to the blocks 49 by means of bolts 5|. The angle iron stringers 50 are each provided with a plurality of radially extending pins 52 forming teeth for the comb assembly 20.

The teeth 52 are arranged in longitudinally spaced apart alignment so as to mesh with the rings 43 for rotative movement between successive pairs of rings 43.

The shaft 24 being eccentrically off-set relative to the rings 43, a relative radial movement between the teeth 52 and the rings 43 is produced.

The annular rings 43 are preferably chosen to have substantially the same diametral dimension as the rotary comb mechanism 20; thus, the teeth 52 will move from a fully retracted position indicated by the reference numeral 53 on Figure 3 to a fully extended position indicated generally by the reference numeral 54 on Figure 3. It will be understood that as shown on Figure 2, the rotary comb mechanism 29 Willbe aligned relative to the conveyor so that the fully extended position indicated at 54 will result in the engagement by the teeth 52 with the fibers carried by the leg I3a of the belt [3.

It may be noted that the ring 43 are preferably mounted loosely on the rods 42 so as to be axially adjustable upon contact with the pins 52; thus, rather wide manufacturing tolerances may be accommodated and any shimmying action or oscillatory movement enjoyed by the rings 43 will actually serve to enhance the fiber stripping action thereof in releasing fibers caught on the ends of the teeth 52.

If desired, the rings 43 and the pin 52 may bev made of such dissimilar materials as, for example, a metal and a plastic like nylon.v Any wiping action occurring between such two dissimilar substances will be substantially noiseles and will produce a good bearing action which inpractical effect is somewhat self-lubricating thereby tending to minimize excessive wear between the teeth 52 and the rings 43.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested to those versed in the art to the preferred structural embodiment herein described in considerable detail for the sake of clarity only, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of this patent. all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the, scope of my contribution to. the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a rotary comb construction, a frame having a plurality of annular disks coaxially aligned in predetermined spaced-apart relationship, a comb having a rotary shaft eccentrically off-set relative to the alignment axis of said disks and a. row of radially extending circumferentially spaced teeth on said shaft between. each pair of said disks and rotatable relative thereto to that the. relative radial movement between said disks and said teeth of said comb will release fibers caught; on the ends of said teeth.

2. In a rotary fiber comb. construction,v a frame, having. a plurality of annular disks coaxially align-ed in predetermined spaced-apart relationship, a comb having a rotary shaft. eccentrically; off-set relative to the alignment axis of said disks and a row of radially extending circumferentially spaced teeth on. said shaft between each pair of said disks and rotatable relative thereto, so that. the relative radial movement. between said disks and said teeth of said comb. will: release fibers caught on theends of said teeth, said. disks. being loosely mounted onsaid; frame: for axial adjustment upon contact with saidteeth.

3. In a rotary fiber. comb. assembly, a pair of; rods, a plurality of disks carried by said rods inpredetermined' spaced-apart, assembly and a. rotary comb having teeth movable betweensaid;

disks, said disks and said: comb, being of. substantially the same diameter with: said disks eccen trically off-set from the-rotative axis of said comb; -to produce a fiber stripping; action between saidteeth and said disks:

4. In a rotary fiber comb assembly, a pair of rods, a plurality of disks carried by said rods in predetermined spaced-apart assembly and a. ro-

tary comb having teeth movable between said disks, said disks and said comb being of substantially the same diameter with said disks ecce trically off-set from the rotative axis of said to produce a fiber stripping action between said 0 teeth and said disks, said disks being loosely carried by said rods for axial contact adjustment by said teeth.

5. In a and weig ing mechanism, a casing having a hopper with discharge opening adjacent thereto and a conveyor arranged to carry fibers from the hopper to the discharge opening, the improvement of a rotary fiber comb assembly including, a support oa.--ed by said casing, a plurality of in i apart assembly on said some; rotary comb journaled in sc longitudinally spaced rows of teeth movable tween said disks, said d sks and comb ing ecc-entrically ofi-set from the rotative said comb to produce a strippin action bet said teeth and said disks, and said comb being arranged to tooth the libero carried by said conveyor.

ply of fibers, said casing having a ing, an endless spiked conveyor belt arranged to convey fibers to said e he ing, a rotary comb having cir: spaced radially outwardly crate ranged in longitudinally rows e with the fibers carried by belt, lieans to rotate said comb to move said teeth in a direction opposite to the movement of said belt, a pin rality of disks eccentrically off-set relat ie teeth of said comb, there one of said d between each pair of rows of teeth on and a support frame mounting said 6 sembly with said casing, whereby rotatioi comb will move said teeth between disn release fibers caught on said comb.

7. In a rotary oer comb assembly, a frame having a plurality of rings loosely mounted th "e on in spaced-apart coaxial alignment, and a comb journaled for rotation in said rarne and having a plurality of radially extending, longitudinallyaligned rows of circumferentially spaced tee .1 arranged to mesh with said rings and being rotatable therebetween, said rings and comb being disposed on off-set parallel provide relative radial movement of said teeth in said rings, said rings being adjustably movable axially upon engagement thereof with said teeth.

8. In a rotary fiber comb assembly, a frame having a plurality of rings mounted thereon in spaced-apart coaxial alignment, and a comb journaled for rotation in said frame and having a plurality of radially extending, longitudinallyaligned rows of ircumierentially spaced teeth arranged to mesh with said rings and being rotatable therebetween, said and said comb being disposed on off-set parallel axes to provide relative radial movement of said teeth in said rings, said rings beinx. adjustably movable axially upon engagement thereof with said teeth, said rings and said teeth being made of materials selected to provide yi ldable engagement and forming a low fric on bearing surface therebetween, thereby p act-e a sell-lubricating bearing action.

9. A rotary fiber comb having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly extending teeth aligned in longitudinally spaced rows, a ring between each pair of spaced rows of teeth and means mounting each ring eccentrically to said comb, said teeth and said rings being relatively radially movable with respect to one another to release fibers caught on the ends of said teeth.

10. A rotary fiber comb having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly extending teeth aligned in longitudinally spaced rows, a ring between each pair of spaced rows 01 teeth and means mounting each ring eccentrically to said comb, said teeth and said rings being relatively radially movable with respect to one another to release fibers caught on the ends of said teeth, said mounting means carrying said rings relatively loosely to afiord limited axial movement of said rings With respect to said comb upon rotative engagement of said rings with said teeth.

11. A rotary fiber comb having a plurality of ci'cumierentially spaced radially outwardly extending teeth, a ring between each pair of spaced rows of teeth and means mounting each ring eccentrically to said comb, said teeth and said rings bein relatively radially movable with respect to one another to release fibers caught on the ends of said teeth, said rings and said teeth being made of materials selected to provide yieldable engagement and forming a low friction hearing surface therebetween, thereby to promote a self-lubricating bearing action.

ALFRED W. GARDES.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

